Doing Business In (Insert Country Name Here) - BNA

Travel & Tourism (TRA) Return to top
Overview Return to top
2006 2007 2008*
Total Market Size 109,777 111,423 114,765
Total Local Production 126,485 128,382 132,233
Total Exports 40,004 40,604 41,416
Total Imports 22,345 22,680 23,360
Imports from the U.S. 4,920 4,993 5,142
Exchange rate: USD1.00 Euro 0.8 Euro 0.7 Euro 0.7
(Figures in USD millions; * Estimated figures)
The United States remains one of the top choices among long-haul destinations for
French travelers. France ranks third among European markets, after the United
Kingdom and Germany, and sixth in the world after Canada, Mexico, Japan, the U.K.,
and Germany as an overseas source of income for the tourism industry in the U. S.
Best Prospects/Services Return to top
All major actors in the travel & tourism industry indicated good growth prospects for the
French market in 2007, estimating an average of 27 percent more sales revenue for
French travelers to the U.S. The French market is really optimistic for 2008 especially
with the opening of a series of non-stop flights between France and the United States.
Opportunities Return to top
California, the U.S. National Parks, New York and Florida remain the favorite
destinations. Increasingly, other regions like the Southwest and Mountain States are
becoming popular, particularly with second or third-time visitors. The French are very
individualistic in their travel behavior. The average length of stay is approximately 2
weeks. Visitor spending in the U.S. amounts to approximately USD 76 per day per
person. Following the closing of the U.S.T.T.A in 1996, the Commercial Service office in
Paris has supported the establishment of the Visit USA Committee France, a private
industry association aimed at promoting the United States as a travel and tourism
destination.
Resources Return to top
Visit USA Committee France: [http://www.office-tourisme-usa.com]
Embassy U.S. Commercial Service Trade Specialist:
[Valerie.Ferriere@mail.doc.gov]
Phone: (+33-1) 43 12 70 77 - Website: [http://www.buyusa.gov/france/en]
TIA (Travel Industry Association) is the major travel association in the U.S:
[http://www.tia.org/]
OTTI (Office of Travel & Tourism Industries) is the primary source of international travel
statistics in the United States: [http://www.tinet.ita.doc.gov/]
2/15/2008 Country Commercial Guide for France 41
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT, U.S. & FOREIGN COMMERCIAL SERVICE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
© 2007. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.